2010-07-15

FY 2011 NIH Funding Process Moving Forward Slowly
Although the fiscal year (FY) 2011 federal appropriations process has begun to move forward slowly, it looks unlikely that congressional leaders will be able to complete the process prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year on October 1 and may have to resort to a continuing resolution this fall funding the government at FY 2010 levels into at least the first part of FY 2011. Read more.

Harold Varmus Sworn in as Director of National Cancer Institute – Prioritizes Reform of the Clinical Trials System and Calls for Narrower, More Realistic Focus in Research
Former National Institutes of Health (NIH) director and Nobel laureate Harold Varmus, MD, was sworn in as the new director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on Monday, July 12. During a town-hall style meeting with NCI staff later that afternoon, Dr. Varmus cited reform of the clinical trials system and a readjustment of the cancer drug approval and regulation process as top priorities. He also emphasized the importance of reframing questions in order to provide clearer goals for researchers. Read more.

NIH Announces Availability of Educational Loan Repayment Programs
NIH has announced the continued availability of educational loan repayment through its extramural Loan Repayment Programs (LRP). The NIH LRPs provide promising researchers and scientists the opportunity to pursue research careers by repaying up to $35,000 of their qualified student loan debt each year. The application period for new and renewal extramural applicants is September 1 – December 1, 2010. Details of the NIH LRPs may be accessed through the official NIH notice or found on the LRP website. Read more.

ASH Responds to NIH-FDA Joint Leadership Council With Translational and Clinical Research Priorities and Recommendations for Increased Efficiency
ASH submitted a response to the NIH and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Joint Leadership Council's request for comments on how the agencies can collaborate more effectively to advance the translation of biomedical research discoveries into approved diagnostics and therapies. ASH provided comments on specific areas in which the NIH and FDA can further coordinate and target efforts to develop and promote promising new therapies using the latest basic research discoveries and technological advances. The Society's comments focused on the following three priorities:

• Harmonization of existing policies and regulations on clinical trial operations
• Facilitation of research translation and product development for regenerative medicine
• Support for specific preclinical research and product development of potential therapies for rare or neglected disorders

NIH Office of Extramural Research Releases July 2010 Newsletter
The NIH Office of Extramural Research has released its July 2010 newsletter, which includes information on translational research investments, a new policy restricting the types of late grant application materials NIH will accept, and federal-wide efforts to develop common forms. Read more.

HHS Announces Final Rules to Support 'Meaningful Use' of Electronic Health Records
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced final rules aimed at increasing safety and reducing health-care costs through expanded use of electronic health records (EHR). Under a provision included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, eligible health-care professionals and hospitals can qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments when they adopt certified EHR technology and use it to achieve specified objectives. Requirements for meaningful use incentive payments will be implemented over a multi-year period and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) anticipates that enrollment in the EHR incentives program will begin in January 2011, with the first payments to eligible professionals and hospitals expected around May 2011. Read more.

President Obama Appoints Donald Berwick to Be CMS Administrator
President Barack Obama used a procedure known as a recess appointment to appoint Dr. Donald Berwick to head CMS. The process means that Dr. Berwick, a pediatrician, Harvard University professor, and leader of a health-care nonprofit organization, can assume the post without being confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The White House says the need to fill the post is critical because of its role in implementing the health reform law. Read more.